New Match Preview: Lights FC vs Orange County SC - Matchweek 5

New Match Preview: Lights FC vs Orange County SC – Matchweek 5

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Lights FC add more depth to the roster as the club takes on Orange County SC in an away match at 7:00pm PT, only on ESPN+.

The Las Vegas Lights FC look to bounce back from 2 straight losses to start off the resumed season.

Not only is the Las Vegas football club looking to bounce back from two straight losses, but also from a temporary season postponement due to a member in the organization testing positive for COVID-19. The individual is reportedly isolated at home and remains in good spirits.

The last time these two teams faced, was almost a year ago to the date. The game was tied until the 22nd minute before Orange County SC blew open a 3-0 lead by the 86th minute. The Lights desperately need to win the upcoming matchup to catch up on points in the group stage. They currently sit at the bottom of the table with 1 point and could put their USL Championship playoff hopes at serious risk with a loss, which would then put them 10 points behind the next closest rank at 4th.

Only the top 2 teams move on, which are Phoenix Rising FC with 13 points and San Diego Loyal with 11. Granted, Las Vegas has played the least amount of games. Nonetheless, the Lights struggle with a -2 goal difference amongst all their matchups versus a club like Phoenix, who is +13.

New additions Noah Billingsley and Blake Frischknecht join the team this week against an Orange County SC who are coming off two straight wins, with their most recent 2-0 victory over the San Diego Loyal.

“He is a strong addition to our current roster and will help further reinforce our backline during his time with us,” said head coach Yallop about the 22-year-old right-back. Billingsley has a loaded resume, having many call ups to the New Zealand Men’s National team, as well as being drafted in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of UC Santa Barbara.

As for Las Vegas homegrown, yet former Lights rival, Blake Frischknecht, he will be lining up front for Frank Yallop. The 24-year-old forward once played for Centennial High School, with All-State accolades, and then later went on to play for Utah Valley University. Lights FC fans should remember this former rival member when he scored the winning goal for Orange County SC against Las Vegas in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup.

For the Lights’ Postponed Games:

The match set to take place between the Lights and San Diego Loyal on August 8 has been rescheduled for September 2, with a start time of 7:30 pm PT at Cashman field.

The Lights will also host Tacoma Defiance on August 19, at 7:30 pm PT which was the second consecutive game postponed.

Lights FC vs Orange County SC

DATE CHANGE — AT LOS ANGELES GALAXY II MATCH MOVED BACK ONE DAY:

It was also announced Thursday that the Lights FC’s initially scheduled match at Los Angeles Galaxy II for Saturday, August 29, has been moved back to the following day. The game will now kick-off on Sunday, August 30, at 2 pm.

Lights FC vs Orange County SC